When it comes to planning my weekly meals, coming up with main dish ideas is not a problem. It’s the side dishes that get me.
Am I the only one that wants my side dishes to go with my main dish?
Thankfully, having some go-to side dish recipes that are simple and delicious has really come in handy when it comes time to plan. I simply choose my main dish then browse through my side dishes and pull the ones that accompany the main dish perfectly.
Today, I’m going to share one of my family’s favorite side dishes… homemade herb roasted fries! Not only is this recipe healthy, but it’s so delicious your kids will fight over who gets seconds!
Herb Roasted Fries
Who doesn’t like French fries every once in a while? They go great with homemade chicken nuggets and hamburgers, and the leftovers always get eaten. (Anyone up for a late night snack?)
Unfortunately, though, it’s hard to find healthy versions in the frozen varieties that most grocery stores carry? Most are coated in unhealthy vegetable oils and seasoned with a variety of spices that always seem to include some form of MSG (monosodium glutamate).
So what’s a mama that wants to feed her little ones a healthy treat to do? Why make her own French fries… that’s what!
I start by buying organic potatoes as potatoes are one of the dirty dozen, and it’s worth paying a bit more for the healthy ones. I mean, that is why I’m going through all the effort to make my own, right? To avoid those unhealthy ingredients.
Simply wash the potatoes and slice them into strips. You can make your strips as thick or thin as you’d like. Just remember that thicker strips will take longer to cook and they won’t turn out as crunchy as the thinner ones will. We like ours thin as you can see. I also put my freshly sliced potato strips in very cold water with a splash of lemon juice as I continue to cut the other potatoes. Not only does this help to keep them crisp and crunchy, but it keeps them from turning brown too quickly.
Next, add the following spices to a bowl in equal amounts. One teaspoon of oregano, dried nettle (optional), sea salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then add in 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Melt 3-4 tablespoons of coconut oil and pour over spices. Mix well with a spoon.
Now you can drain the water off of your potato strips and dry them on a towel making sure to get as much water off as possible. Once they’re fairly dry, transfer them to a bowl and pour your oil/spice mixture over them. Get your hands messy tossing the potatoes around until they’re nice and coated with the mix. Yes, the coconut oil will start to harden up on the potatoes, but this is no big deal. It’s just because your potatoes are cold. It will melt once they get in the hot oven.
From here, put your potato strips on a baking sheet and place in a preheated 400-degree oven.
Roast your fries at 400 degrees for 45 minutes, stopping to mix them every 15 minutes.
When they’re done, enjoy with your main dish, and you can feel good about eating homemade herb roasted fries with healthy oil and nutritious herbs!
These look great Meagan! My kids love it when their grandmother makes homemade fried, but I haven’t tried yet, because…I wanted a healthier version.
Mine love these! I hope yours like them too Michelle!
I make oven potatoes often that are similar to this. I’m going to try your recipe, though, because I can tell it’s even yummier. Thanks for sharing!
Definately going to try this. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
You’re very welcome! They’re delicious!
If you are ever in a hurry, a shortcut I learned is to boiled the potatoes whole, soft but firm, than cut your potatoes as French fries. This cut down baking time, keeping the house cooler.. this is how I do mine, especially if I’m in a hurry..hope this helps..Monica
LOVE potatoes in the oven (well.. any way at all!) tossed with a little good quality oil and herbs!
This looks so delicious — I sneak nettles into my mixture too !! (great minds.. lol)
Confession: these are my favourite food.. Taters!!
They are hard not to love, aren’t they! I do okay staying away from them in an effort to keep my blood sugar balanced, but I find that they’re great to enjoy occasionally when they’re paired with other quality foods.